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ALMOND - The name of Garett Yonke rarely will jump off a statistics sheet.

Every basketball team can use players like the Almond-Bancroft senior who does a lot of the little things that help his team win.

One game that might mean carrying the load on the backboards by being a dominant rebounder. In another game, that might translate into defending a productive interior presence for the other team.

"We depend on him to be one of our leaders and we will need him to continue to play at a high level, along with the rest of our team, to reach our goals this season," A-B coach Curt Lamb said.

A three-year varsity performer, Yonke takes his physical mentality from the football field, where he was an All-Central Wisconsin Conference 10 lineman, and carries it over to the basketball court.

A 6-foot-1 senior forward, Yonke leads the Eagles with an average of nine rebounds a game.

"Garett gives us an advantage with his unique combination of size and quickness that makes it hard for other teams to match up with him," Lamb said.

Why did you get involved in basketball and what about the sport appeals to you? I got involved in basketball because of my older brother Ethan. I saw him playing out there when I was younger and having fun, so I just wanted to do the same.

What part of the game comes easiest to you – defense or offense – and how hard did you have to work on each aspect of the game to reach the point you’re at now? I'd say defense comes easier to me because of my size and all I have to do is stay in front of the offensive player.

How do you see your role on this Almond-Bancroft basketball team? I see my role as being one of the main rebounders on the team along with Allan and Dylan (Bunders).

Where do you feel you've made the greatest strides as a basketball player over your Almond-Bancroft varsity career? I feel that being more of a offensive threat is one of the greatest strides I have accomplished over the years due to my size.

What is the most important thing you’re focused on during the course of a game? The most important thing I am focused on during the game is just getting defensive stops and grabbing boards.

What has been the highlight of your basketball career up until this point at any level? My highlight of my basketball career was being able to be on varsity my sophomore year along side my older brother Ethan.

How long does it take you to get into basketball mode after football and what is the toughest part of transition? It took me a week or two to get the feel of basketball back. The toughest transition was the constant running up and down the court compared to football.

Who has been your role model growing up and what lesson have they taught you that you'll take with you the rest of your life? My role model would be my dad because he taught me how to play the sports I do. He also taught me how to be respectful and how to be a gentlemen.

If you could choose to meet one person in the history of the world, dead or alive, who would you want to meet, and what would you like to find out about them? Brett Favre, because I would ask how it felt to win the Super Bowl and ask him how he could play the game and have as much fun as he had.

Name something on your bucket list that you absolutely have to get done by the time you turn 40: I would absolutely want to get a nice big diesel truck!!

What is your greatest fear? My greatest fear being in a new area and getting lost.

Tell us something about yourself the average person may not know about you: That I love to go hunting and fishing with family/friends.

How would you define happiness in your life? Just being with family or friends and having a good time.

What can't you live without? I can't live without spending time outside hunting, fishing or snowmobiling.

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or on email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill